August Exhibits at the MAA · August 2–31

Opening Reception: Sunday, August 3 · 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Eclectic, wild, inspiring, peaceful, collaborative, and healing, all describe the work of the Marblehead Arts Association (MAA) August individual artist’s member exhibits. This exhibit has something for everyone from the bucolic scenes of Marblehead to the insane abstract creations that will appear to leap off the walls. The exhibits run from August 2nd through August 31st with a meet the artist public reception on Sunday, August 3rd from 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Don Howard: “Seventy years of making Art —@ age 75”
Sculpture · Ballroom Gallery

“Rain Forest” by Don Howard
Click on image to enlarge it

Howard’s work, largely painted wood sculpture, supported by old rust pieces, broken mirrors, toys and found objects is rough, strong, never quite finished and never pretty or nice. He offers a visual language that thumbs its nose at formalist concerns in art, but communicates in volumes the feelings he has towards the topics. His strongest images come from a childhood in a Texas farm town during the Depression; an old barn of rotting wood, rusted farm tools, tools, spiders, cats and spears of Texas sun lancing dark corners and acrid smells. This was a strong, dark, sharp, plain, well-worn world. Later this rural Texas world was interwoven with the bright, honking fabric of South America; stamping boots, the lust of the tango, delicate violet jacaranda blossoms and vicuna shawls. Twenty five years of working all over South America wove a complex fabric of artistic influence.

“I believe that my art is a quest to capture the texture, the magic and the unvarnished truth of my memories, faith, humor and, most of all, my love. What I am. What I have seen. What I have never seen but know is there. Waiting. Smiling. Laughing softly.”

Judy Arnold & Mike Dupuis: “Pixels and Palettes II”
Photography & Watercolors · Parlor Gallery

The show, Pixels and Palettes II, is the second collaboration between two friends who got to know each other while working together on the Art Committee at the Marblehead Arts. Admiring each other’s art, Arnold a watercolorist and Dupuis a photographer, they decided to work together interpreting the same scene through their separate media. Dupuis will shoot what interests him and Arnold looks through the portfolio and decides which photo she’d enjoy painting. Most are local scenes of Marblehead and vicinity but also of travels to Vermont and New Hampshire.

Watercolor by Judy Arnold
Click on image to enlarge it

Arnold and Dupuis have had individual exhibits at the Marblehead Arts and have had work in the Marblehead Festival of Arts where Dupuis was awarded the Samuel Chamberlain Award for Photography.

Virginia Hill: “Celebrating Sea & Shore”
Watercolors · Dining Room Gallery

“Lobster Buoys”
by Virginia Hill

The courageous lives of fisherman and the region’s unique icons of this trade, fishing boats, lighthouses and lobster buoys is the subject of Hill’s vibrant watercolors. Hill also paints ocean landscapes and salt flats reminding the viewer of the extraordinary beauty we in New England often take for granted. Stephen Spielberg, when filming The Love Letter in Rockport, purchased a painting of the iconic Rockport landmark, “Motif #1,” from the Virginia Hill Gallery, which she founded in 2000 on Bearskin Neck.

Hill is active in several art associations, she is a past president and Lifetime Member of Danvers Art Association, and has shown her work in Boston at the Moakley Courthouse and the National Historic Parks exhibit in Charlestown and in many local venues.

Jeri Rabchenuk: “What I Think About”
Oil Painting – Mixed Media · Hendrick Gallery

Untitled art by Jeri Rabchenuk
Click on image to enlarge it

Rabchenuk creates art that is fun, colorful, playful, and tells a story. It invites the child within to come out and enjoy life. As a social worker, she uses art with her clients to enhance their knowledge of themselves and make peace with their life experiences. As a result of their art exposure many are currently involved with studying art and using art for its healing energy. Rabchenuk helps them to learn more about who they are and to resolve to make peace with painful life experiences which can aid in the development of a positive identity as they become anchored in a creative sense of self rather than in a negative sense of self which leads to self harming behaviors and acting out towards others.

Rabchenuk’s clients and students inspire her too. If they can do something unfamiliar to them, so can she. She often shares her art experiences, along with earlier feelings about getting started in the art field and the wonderful and fun experiences she has had as an artist working with great mentors and teachers. Rabchenuk lets them know that they too can have good experiences and teachers as well as great friendships.

Rabchenuk has exhibited at Union Hospital and at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts and where she received an Honorable Mention Award in the mixed medium division.

People’s Choice Award Winners
July Member “Personal Favorites” Show

The votes are in! 243 people voted for their “Personal Favorite”!

Click on images to enlarge them

1st Place Winner with 20 votes:
JUDY TRUJILLO, “Fisherman’s Beach”

“What made this work your favorite?”

A few comments from voters were:

“The work in shards and tiles makes different textures and enhances the image.”
“love how intricate the tiles are placed to make a beautiful scene and gorgeous colors”

 

2nd Place Winner with 18 votes:
CLAUDIA KAUFMAN, "Bag of Oranges"

Described by voters as . . .

“absolutely breathtaking!”
“so realistic, and such rich color”
“Spectacular!”
“It speaks to me. Oranges are my favorite fruit!”

 

3rd Place Winner with 16 votes:
TERRY SLATER, “Sandy Beach 2”

What did your voters love about this work?

“Everything!”
“The dog!”
“Love it — very creative.”

Thank you to all who took the time to vote and to Kelly Christian, our summer intern, for developing the “People’s Choice Award” project and materials.